News

PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 3, 2025) Sandra Magana-Cuellar, a communications professional, has been elected 2025 Chairperson of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Magana-Cuellar was originally appointed to the Authority by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2018 and reappointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023.

Magana-Cuellar, of Corona, has been Director of Government Affairs at Charter Communications since 2000. She is a member of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality Board of Directors; is a member of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership; and serves on the Inland Action Board of Directors. Magana-Cuellar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California.

“I am very honored to serve as 2025 Chairperson of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority,” says Magana-Cuellar. “The Tramway is a truly iconic attraction, and I hope my background in communications will serve me in ‘spreading the message’ about the Tram during my tenure as Chair.”

Also elected for 2025 offices are Vice Chair Nancy Stuart, Secretary Jonathan Hoy, and Treasurer Jerry Ogburn.

In addition to Magana-Cuellar, the current Authority members are Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart appointed by the Palm Springs City Council; Jonathan Hoy and Giovanni Virgen appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors; and Jeff Ohlfs and Brian Conley appointed by the Governor.

Presentation and Book Signing by Author Steve Lech

PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 1, 2025) Join us on Saturday, March 15 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. for an informative presentation and book signing by author and historian Steve Lech. Lech will be discussing his book, Crocker’s Folly, which details the long and difficult journey by the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway founders in building this now iconic attraction.

Steve Lech, a native of Riverside County, has been researching the area for more than 40 years. He has written or co-written more than a dozen books and over 300 articles on various aspects of Riverside County’s history. In addition to writing and researching articles and books, he serves as co-editor of the Riverside County Chronicles (the Riverside County Heritage Association’s journal of local history), he is on the editorial board of the Journal of the Riverside Historical Society, and he serves as president of both the Riverside Historical Society and the Riverside County Heritage Association.

The presentation and book signing event will be held in the Francis Crocker Room at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station. Crocker’s Folly is available for purchase in the Mountain Gift Shop. This event is free with general Tramway admission. General admission is $32.95 for adults, $29.95 for seniors 65 and older, and $18.95 for children ages 3-10. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes.

Please note: Online advance reservation tickets for the Tramway are limited in quantity. If online tickets are sold out, please purchase your tickets as a walk-in on the day of your visit.

Extended Hours on Monday, February 17

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 10, 2025) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will observe extended holiday hours on February 17 in celebration of Presidents’ Day. The first tram car up is at 8:00 a.m., the last tram car up is at 8:00 p.m. and the last tram car down is at 9:30 p.m. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes.

Enjoy a day or evening above the desert floor exploring the 14,000-acre Mt. San Jacinto State Park & Wilderness and be awed by spectacular Coachella Valley vistas from the Mountain Station.

Tram admission is $32.95 for adults, $29.95 for seniors (65+) and $18.95 for children ages 3-10. After 4:00 p.m., Twilight Tickets are $29.95 for adults and seniors, and $15.95 for children ages 3-10.

Please note: Online advanced reservations for the Tramway are limited. If online tickets are sold out, please purchase your tickets as a walk-in on the day of your visit.

Give the Gift of an Experience

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 4, 2025) Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway on Friday, February 14. Bring a loved one, best friend, or family member and experience the world’s largest rotating tramcar together!

Ride ‘n’ Dine tickets are available on February 14 after 4:00 pm. This combination ticket includes tramfare and dinner at Pines Café—a cafeteria-style restaurant. Ride ‘n’ Dine tickets are $41.00 for adults and seniors, and $27.50 for children ages 3-10. To view the menu, please visit https://pstramway.com/dining/.

Already have plans for dinner? Take a romantic walk and discover the natural beauty of Mount San Jacinto State Park atop the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. With over 50 miles of hiking trails to explore and unbeatable views of the Coachella Valley below, you’re sure to wow your friends.

Tram admission is $32.95 for adults and $18.95 for children ages 3-10. Special discounts and packages are available after 4:00 p.m. Twilight Tickets are $29.95 for adults and seniors, and $15.95 for children ages 3-10.

Give the gift of an experience this Valentine’s Day at the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Please Note: Online advanced reservations for the Tramway are limited. If online tickets are sold out, please purchase your tickets as a walk-in on the day of your visit.

EXTENDED HOURS FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. WEEKEND

PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 13, 2025) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will observe holiday hours during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Weekend January 18-20 with the first tram up each day at 8:00 a.m., the last tram up at 8:00 p.m., and the last tram down at 9:30 p.m. Tram cars depart at least every 30 minutes.

Tram admission is $32.95 for adults, $29.95 for seniors (65+) and $18.95 for children ages 3-10.

Special discounts and packages are available after 4:00 p.m. Twilight Tickets are $29.95 for adults and seniors, and $15.95 for children ages 3-10. Ride ‘n’ Dine Tickets, which include tram fare and dinner at Pines Café, a cafeteria-style restaurant, are $41.00 for adults and seniors, and $27.50 for children ages 3-10.

PALM SPRINGS, CA (January 6, 2025) The Riverside County Board of Supervisors has announced the appointment of Giovanni Virgen to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Born in Palm Springs, Virgen has lived most of his life in the Coachella Valley. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and currently works for Armtec Defense Technologies in Coachella, California as a Manufacturing Engineer. According to Virgen, “Over the course of my career, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the U.S. Army, public works agencies, and various other government agencies. I’m now looking forward to serving my community and the wonderful people who work tirelessly to make the Palm Springs Tramway the modern marvel that it is today.”

The Authority was created by the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority Act Ch. 1040 of the Statutes of 1945, as amended by Ch. 70 of the Statutes of 1947 and Ch.1004 of 1951, of the State of California. Two members of the Authority are appointed by the Palm Springs City Council, two by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and three by the California Governor.

The State appointees are Brian Conley, Sandra Magana-Cuellar and Jeff Ohlfs; the (second) County appointee is Jonathan Hoy; and the City appointees are Jerry Ogburn and Nancy Stuart.